MAKERFIELD — Voters in Makerfield rank the cost of living, declining high streets, and public services as the most pressing local issues ahead of the UK general election, according to a poll of 112 residents. The research, commissioned by advocacy group 38 Degrees and conducted by polling firm JL Partners, used six open-ended questions to gather responses across party lines, age groups, and genders.
More than a third of respondents spontaneously cited the cost of living when asked what changes would improve life for them and their families. Concerns included household bills, food, fuel, council tax, and affordable housing. One respondent said the cost of living needed to come down “so that we can afford to actually have a life.”
Three in 10 respondents said their new MP should prioritize fixing the local environment and public services, including high streets, roads, potholes, and NHS access. A female Reform UK voter aged 55-plus said she wanted to see “a better local high street which can thrive and support local farmers and businesses instead of barbers, vape shops and mini markets.”
The poll found 31.2% of respondents planned to vote Labour and 30.4% intended to support Reform UK. Both the Green Party and the Conservative Party received 10.7% support each, while 3.6% favored the Liberal Democrats and 13.4% indicated they would vote for other parties.
Approximately one in eight respondents identified immigration as a priority, particularly among Reform UK supporters. Another female Reform voter aged 55-plus said “immigration and local housing for local people and not immigrants” should be prioritized, adding that “all the social housing is going to immigrants and not our people who have been on the housing waiting list for years.”
Tom Lubbock, co-founder of JL Partners, said: “Makerfield was a great seat for Andy Burnham to choose as it’s a snapshot of the country in miniature.” He added that voters “care about the cost of living and aren’t asking for the Earth; they want the high street to work, their bills to come down, and a politician who tells the truth and sticks around after polling day.” He also said: “The party that convinces Makerfield it will actually do what it says, rather than say what it takes to win, is the one that wins here and nationally.”
Veronica Hawking, campaigns director at 38 Degrees, said: “Makerfield voters are sending a crystal clear message to whoever their next MP is: we are real people, not just numbers on a page.” She said families are “under immense pressure from a relentless cost of living crisis” and “completely exhausted by a political system they feel is broken and self-serving.” She added that voters “want more money left at the end of month, better NHS services, and improvements to their local community” and “want an MP for Makerfield who they can trust, and who will deliver on their promises.”